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Title: 237Np analytical method using 239Np tracers and application to a contaminated nuclear disposal facility

Abstract

In this study, environmental 237Np analyses are challenged by low 237Np concentrations and lack of an available yield tracer; we report a rapid, inexpensive 237Np analytical approach employing the short lived 239Np (t1/2 = 2.3 days) as a chemical yield tracer followed by 237Np quantification using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. 239Np tracer is obtained via separation from a 243Am stock solution and standardized using gamma spectrometry immediately prior to sample processing. Rapid digestions using a commercial, 900 W "Walmart" microwave and Parr microwave vessels result in 99.8 ± 0.1% digestion yields, while chromatographic separations enable Np/U separation factors on the order of 106 and total Np yields of 95 ± 4% (2σ). Application of this method to legacy soil samples surrounding a radioactive disposal facility (the Subsurface Disposal Area at Idaho National Laboratory) reveal the presence of low level 237Np contamination within 600 m of this site, with maximum 237Np concentrations on the order of 103 times greater than nuclear weapons testing fallout levels.

Authors:
 [1];  [2];  [2];  [3]; ORCiD logo [3]
+ Show Author Affiliations
  1. Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States); Washington State Univ., Pullman, WA (United States)
  2. Washington State Univ., Pullman, WA (United States); Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
  3. Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1357190
Report Number(s):
INL/JOU-14-31619
Journal ID: ISSN 0265-931X; PII: S0265931X16304933
Grant/Contract Number:  
AC07-05ID14517
Resource Type:
Accepted Manuscript
Journal Name:
Journal of Environmental Radioactivity
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 172; Journal Issue: C; Journal ID: ISSN 0265-931X
Publisher:
Elsevier
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY; INL; Np-237; Np-239; SDA; subsurface disposal area

Citation Formats

Snow, Mathew S., Morrison, Samuel S., Clark, Sue B., Olson, John E., and Watrous, Matthew G. 237Np analytical method using 239Np tracers and application to a contaminated nuclear disposal facility. United States: N. p., 2017. Web. doi:10.1016/j.jenvrad.2017.02.018.
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Snow, Mathew S., Morrison, Samuel S., Clark, Sue B., Olson, John E., & Watrous, Matthew G. 237Np analytical method using 239Np tracers and application to a contaminated nuclear disposal facility. United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2017.02.018
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Snow, Mathew S., Morrison, Samuel S., Clark, Sue B., Olson, John E., and Watrous, Matthew G. Tue . "237Np analytical method using 239Np tracers and application to a contaminated nuclear disposal facility". United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2017.02.018. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1357190.
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@article{osti_1357190,
title = {237Np analytical method using 239Np tracers and application to a contaminated nuclear disposal facility},
author = {Snow, Mathew S. and Morrison, Samuel S. and Clark, Sue B. and Olson, John E. and Watrous, Matthew G.},
abstractNote = {In this study, environmental 237Np analyses are challenged by low 237Np concentrations and lack of an available yield tracer; we report a rapid, inexpensive 237Np analytical approach employing the short lived 239Np (t1/2 = 2.3 days) as a chemical yield tracer followed by 237Np quantification using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. 239Np tracer is obtained via separation from a 243Am stock solution and standardized using gamma spectrometry immediately prior to sample processing. Rapid digestions using a commercial, 900 W "Walmart" microwave and Parr microwave vessels result in 99.8 ± 0.1% digestion yields, while chromatographic separations enable Np/U separation factors on the order of 106 and total Np yields of 95 ± 4% (2σ). Application of this method to legacy soil samples surrounding a radioactive disposal facility (the Subsurface Disposal Area at Idaho National Laboratory) reveal the presence of low level 237Np contamination within 600 m of this site, with maximum 237Np concentrations on the order of 103 times greater than nuclear weapons testing fallout levels.},
doi = {10.1016/j.jenvrad.2017.02.018},
journal = {Journal of Environmental Radioactivity},
number = C,
volume = 172,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Mar 21 00:00:00 EDT 2017},
month = {Tue Mar 21 00:00:00 EDT 2017}
}
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Journal Article:
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Publisher's Version of Record
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2017.02.018
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    Works referencing / citing this record:

    Rapid measurements of 235U fission product isotope ratios using an online, high-pressure ion chromatography inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry protocol with comparison to isotopic depletion models
    journal, February 2019

    • Fenske, Emilie K.; Roach, Benjamin D.; Glasgow, David C.
    • Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, Vol. 320, Issue 1
    • DOI: 10.1007/s10967-019-06438-4
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